Saturday Morning Preview special
The Great NBC "Smilin’ Saturday
Mornin’ Parade" Script

Revised: August 18, 1976

Alan Landsburg Productions
Don Kirshner Productions
Present
"The Great NBC Smilin’ Saturday Mornin’ Parade!"

Starring: Freddie Prinze
With: "The Kids From C.A.P.E.R."
And: "Eenie," "Meenie," "Minie" and "Mo"

Produced by Bob Wynn and Merrill Grant
Directed by Bob Wynn
Written by Draper Lewis

NBC’s "Smilin’ Saturday Mornin’ Parade"
Air Date: Friday, Sept. 10, 1976
Time: 8:00 - 8:30
Revised Script - 8/18/76

Location: Magic Mountain, California
Rehearsal: Saturday, August 28th, 1976
Tape: Sunday, August 29th, 1976

(Note: This script is written with visual narrative on left side
of the page and dialogue, music and sound effects on right side.
We have reformatted it for easier reading on these pages.)

There is an empty green field and beyond low foothills dotted with trees.  It is a clear, bright morning.

(Music: With a snare drum backing . . . a brief, cheerful introduction on a penny-whistle.  It comes to a hold for:)

(MUSIC: A distinct "Pop!")

A giant-sized, carnival-colored toy drum, plus blocks appears in the center of the field.

(Music: The penny-whistle and drum continue for a few more bars then to a second hold for:)

(MUSIC: A second distinct "Pop!")

Our host - Freddie Prinze in a far-out costume appears sitting on the drum and playing a penny-whistle.

(Note: Page in handwritten pencil says "Welcome to NBC’s Smilin’ Saturday Mornin’ Starring Freddie Prinze)

Freddie conducts the orchestral intro with his penny-whistle.

(Music: Full orchestra - but, not the marching band sound - Introduction for "Smilin’ Saturday Mornin’")

SINGERS
It’s a Smilin’ Saturday Mornin’
and the weekend’s really here

Freddie frowns; obviously, there is something bugging him.  With an elaborate wave of his hands, the penny-whistle disappears and he is checking an oversized pocket watch.  He holds it to his ear . . . then, gives it a shake.

(SFX: Loud rattle of loose parts)

He checks it again and then -- disgusted, throws it on the ground where, in a puff of smoke, it obligingly turns into a rather fancy telephone booth.  Freddie jumps off the mushroom and enters the telephone booth.  He lifts the receiver . . . dials . . . and waits - studying his fingernails.

SINGERS (Cont’d)
Got it made in the sunshine,
Got it made in the shade
It’s a Smilin’ Saturday Mornin’
It’s a bouncy mood we’re in
Step on up, find a groove
Oh, the band is on the move
So, let the fun
Let the fun begin

Super titles: "The Great NBC Smilin’ Saturday Mornin’ Parade!" (Note: Written in pencil next to it is the word "Wagon")

(Music: A rhythmic drum pattern in the background - with penny-whistle variations on the "Smilin’ Saturday Mornin’" Theme)

ANNC’R (V.O.)
Welcome to . . .
"The Great NBC Smilin’ Saturday Mornin’ Parade."
Starring, as your host - and the grandest
parade marshal of them all -- Freddie Prinze.
(Applause)

Freddie leans out of the phone booth and waves - acknowledging the applause.  Then, he steps back inside again.

FREDDIE
Hello, am I talking to "The Kids from C.A.P.E.R.?"
Well, this is Freddie Prinze -- Wizard
Extraordinaire -- Master of Illusions and lots
of other things you won’t believe, either.
(Takes a deep breath after that bout of billing)
What am I doing here?  Well, I was invited to
be grand marshall of a super-special . . .
super-neat parade this morning . . . Yeah, that one --
to introduce all the exciting NBC children’s programs
which will be starting Saturday morning . . .
tomorrow morning.  What’s the Caper?  Where is
everybody and especially -- where are you?

"The Kids from C.A.P.E.R." appear outside the booth.  Freddie hangs up and joins them.

FREDDIE
Well, that’s more like it --
but, what took you so long?

Super Title: "The Kids from C.A.P.E.R."

ANNCR (V.O.)
And, as Freddie’s able assistants --
"The Kids from C.A.P.E.R."
(Applause)

They bow.

(Note in pencil says "Short & Long")

FREDDIE
Not only that -- you can’t have a parade
without clowns . . . so, may I introduce . . .

The clowns flip-in, and . . .

1st girl clown appears

FREDDIE (Cont’d)
"Eenie" . . .

2nd girl clown appears

FREDDIE (Cont’d)
"Meenie" . . .

3rd girl clown appears

FREDDIE (Cont’d)
"Minie" . . .

4th girl clown appears

FREDDIE (Cont’d)
And "Mo."
(Applause)

Freddie climbs back on the drum where he is surrounded by the clowns and "The Kids from C.A.P.E.R."

Freddie
And, that’s just the beginning . . .
latch on to this!

He makes a magic gesture and there is a king-sized puff of smoke.

(Music: Orchestra and singers w/reprise of "Smilin’ Saturday Mornin’")

As the smoke clears away, in a semi-circle on the field are three circus wagons plus "The Monster Squad’s" van and "The Big Bologna" which belongs to "The Kids from C.A.P.E.R." . . . the prime elements of the parade.  Each has an identifying sign or poster relating to one of the shows on the NBC children’s schedule.  As the song continues, the clowns and Kids dance their way over, around, under, in-between the wagons and vehicles.

As Freddie announces each of the shows -- the camera zooms in on the identifying sign or poster.

SINGERS
It’s a Smilin’ Saturday Mornin’
and the weekend’s really here.

FREDDIE
Here comes "Woody Woodpecker," "The Pink Panther."
(Written in pen after is "Cartoon Festival.")

(In pencil by Freddie’s intros in this segment is written "Banner w/ [show]")

SINGERS
(Written in pencil "Clowns")
Got it made in the sunshine,
Got it made in the shade.

FREDDIE
Your fabulous new friend . . .
"McDuff - The Talking Dog."

SINGERS
(Written in pencil "Group")
It’s a Smilin’ Saturday Mornin’
It’s a bouncy mood we’re in

FREDDIE
Thrills and chills with "The Monster Squad."

SINGERS
(Written in pencil "Clowns")
Step on up,
find a groove,

FREDDIE
A journey back to "The Land of the Lost."

SINGERS
(Written in pencil "Group")
Oh, the band is on the move.

FREDDIE
Double laughs with "Big John, Little John" . . .

SINGERS
(Written in pencil "Group")
So, let the fun,

FREDDIE
Then, it’s the mod, mad "Kids from C.A.P.E.R."

SINGERS
Let the fun begin

FREDDIE
And, another brand new Saturday
morning character "Muggsy."

(Music: Repeat for the tag of the song)

The dance ends back at the mushroom as Freddie joins the clowns and the Kids.

(Note: Page missing, presume it’s the same as the last script)

EVERYONE
Yes, step on up,
Find a groove,
Oh, the band is on the move,
So let the fun,
Let the fun begin.

As the music ends -- (Freddie) jumps off the drum - makes a magic sign and across its surface we can read:

NBC’s "Smilin’ Saturday Mornin’ Parade."

(Music: up and out)

Fade to black

COMMERCIAL SPOT #1 - 1:02